The Boys' Carol

Piae Cantiones, a book of Latin carols compiled in Finland in 1582, gives us The Boys' Carol, with a translation of the original text from Elizabeth Poston's Penguin Book of Christmas Carols.


Let the boys' cheerful noise
Sing today none but joys
Praise aloud, clear and proud,
Praise to Him in chorus,
Given from heaven for us.
Virgin-born, born, born,
Virgin-born, born, born,
Virgin-born, on that morn
Procreated for us.

He who rules heaven and earth
Lies in stall at His birth,
Humble beasts at his feet
See the Light eternal
Vanquish realms infernal.
Satan's done, done, done,
Satan's done, done, done,
Satan's done, God has won
Victory supernal.

Magi come from afar,
See their sun, tiny one,
Follow far little star,
At the crib adoring,
Man to God restoring.
Gold and myrrh, myrrh, myrrh,
Gold and myrrh, myrrh, myrrh,
Gold and myrrh offered there,
Incense for adoring.

Man and boy, join in joy,
Sing as heaven sings for joy,
God this day here doth stay,
Pour we forth the story
Of His might and glory.
So to God, God, God,
So to God, God, God,
So to God, glory be,
In the highest, glory.


© Golden Hind Music